Nic Schaff

Inside of a dirty lube oil reservoir prior to an oil flush and confined space reservoir cleaning

Can a High Velocity Oil Flush Cause a Sudden Failure?

High Velocity Oil Flushing / By

Oil flushing is a term used to describe a variety of activities related to removing lube system contamination and cleaning the internal components of your system.

There are several types of oil flushes, from more complex high velocity oil flushing projects to hydraulic system flushing or a simple flush with a small filter cart. To select the proper oil flushing method, you should consider the overall plant objectives, the types of contaminants in the system, and the condition of the lube system components.

Cost-Effective Turbine Oil Flushing

High Velocity Oil Flushing / By

Oil flushing is a term used to describe a variety of activities related to removing lube system contamination and cleaning the internal components of your system.

There are several types of oil flushes, from more complex high velocity oil flushing projects to hydraulic system flushing or a simple flush with a small filter cart. To select the proper oil flushing method, you should consider the overall plant objectives, the types of contaminants in the system, and the condition of the lube system components.

6 Keys to Maintenance and Lubrication Planning

Lubrication Program Management / By

Maintenance and lubrication, when done correctly, can have a large impact on productivity. To ensure your machinery is operating at the highest quality-standard possible and avoiding costly shutdowns or delays, maintenance and lubrication planning is crucial. In this article, we’ll dissect the six principles of having a quality maintenance and lubrication plan.

close up example of gear oil

Contamination Exclusion for Turbines and Other Applications

High Velocity Oil Flushing, Lubrication Program Management / By

It is significantly more difficult and costly to remove contaminants from machinery than it is to modify and protect equipment against contaminant ingression. Especially in turbine applications with a large volume of oil, keeping possible contamination sources away from lubricated equipment and performing routine flushings are your best lines of defense. Contaminant exclusion revolves around modifying equipment to protect against solid particles, water, and other contaminants that are trying to enter your machines, thereby avoiding costly repairs and machine downtime.

Picture of oil flushing jumpers

Joe’s Tips for High Velocity Oil Flushing

High Velocity Oil Flushing / By

When it comes to planning and performing a high velocity oil flush, the goal is to get a quality job done as quickly, safely, and environmentally friendly as possible. For this to happen, certain steps must be taken. There are technical and human elements to high velocity oil flushing; when you’re looking for a flushing service provider, you should make sure they perform well in both categories.

Gear from a gearbox shown resting in ice with gear oil flowing over it

What Causes Short Gear Oil Life?

High Velocity Oil Flushing, Varnish / By

Unfortunately, for many operations, high velocity oil flushing is just another item on a checklist, done without much thought or planning. For facilities like this, the only time oil flushing is a priority is when a system fails, and at that point, the only goal is to get the system back up and running. While this approach is understandable, it often leads to problems, inefficiency, and a cycle of reactive maintenance activity.
Performing high velocity oil flushes at regular intervals can enhance machine performance and extend asset life.

Picture of oil flushing jumpers

Planning Oil Flushing for Proactive Maintenance

High Velocity Oil Flushing / By

Unfortunately, for many operations, high velocity oil flushing is just another item on a checklist, done without much thought or planning. For facilities like this, the only time oil flushing is a priority is when a system fails, and at that point, the only goal is to get the system back up and running. While this approach is understandable, it often leads to problems, inefficiency, and a cycle of reactive maintenance activity.
Performing high velocity oil flushes at regular intervals can enhance machine performance and extend asset life.

Detail of power generation turbine fins in an industrial facility.

The Selection and Servicing of Turbine Oils

High Velocity Oil Flushing, Varnish / By

Turbine engines have different demands than other engines; they have unique structures, operating cycles, operating temperatures, and contamination potential. As such, turbine engines require unique lubricants formulated specifically to meet these demands.
It is important, when choosing a turbine oil, to understand how these lubricants differ, physically and chemically, from other lubricants. The lubricant selection process is also a good time to address turbine oil system flushing and the initial filtration requirements.